One charge dropped, one sticks for DeLay

The temporarily former House majority leader's experience with public justice isn't going as well as he'd like, it seems: On Monday, senior state District Judge Pat Priest dismissed a charge against Tom DeLay of conspiracy to violate the state election code, but upheld a conspiracy and money-laundering charge against DeLay and two associates. Had all the charges been thrown out, DeLay would have been able to regain his post as majority leader — he was forced to step down in September, when he was indicted — but as it is, House Republicans are looking to elect a new leader in January if DeLay's legal troubles aren't cleared up by then.

At issue is an accusation that DeLay, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro sent $190,000 in corporate contributions to Texas legislative candidates through the Republican National Committe in 2002 to sidestep a state law that prevents corporate contributions to candidates for the Legislature. DeLay, of course, says he did nothing wrong.

The DeLay indictments have been an interesting story this fall — first were the controversial indictments themselves, which came as the statute of limitations on 2002 campaign violations was running out and required multiple grand juries, and then there was the parade of judges removed from the case because of political donations. For politics as theater, it's classic.

Speaking of politics as theater, the double bill of DeLay and Vice President Dick Cheney was a big draw at a DeLay fund-raiser tonight at the Westin Oaks. Inside, more than 300 DeLay supporters enjoyed hotel banquet food that cost several hundred dollars; outside, a couple hundred protesters chanted and carried signs decrying GOP ethics, DeLay and Cheney. At least they didn't have to put up with the rubber chicken.